OEM Digital Radio Gaining
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 2/12/2007
New York — Automakers have adopted satellite radio in large numbers and automaker adoption of HD Radio is picking up.
For the 2007 model year, almost every automaker in the United States offers satellite radio, mainly as a factory- or dealer-installed option. More often than not, the automakers offer only one satellite service, but multiple automakers give motorists a choice.
All told, satellite radio service is available in 218 vehicle models in the 2007 model year, up from 183 in the 2006 model year, according to Edmunds.
Edmunds was founded in 1966 as a publisher of new and used automotive pricing guides. In 1994, it began producing the first online automotive resource.
In a sign of HD-Radio progress, nine automotive manufacturers will make HD Radio an option on 51 different models for model year 2008, according to the HD Digital Radio Alliance, whose members include the top radio station chains. Luxury automaker BMW initially made HD Radio a factory-installed option on its 2006-model-year BMW 6- and 7-series cars. But starting in March, it is making the option available in all of its U.S. models.
Automakers Adopt Satellite Radio
(Number of passenger-vehicle models with standard or optional satellite radio)*
2006 Model Year
| Models with Satellite Radio | Models with Sirius | Models with XM |
| 183 | 107 | 112 |
2007 Model Year
| Models with Satellite Radio | Models with Sirius | Models with XM |
| 218 | 123 | 117 |
*Some vehicles offer the option of both satellite radio services.
Source: Edmunds, Santa Monica, Calif. (www.edmunds.com)
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